Do You Suffer from Bad Breath?

An estimated 25 percent of people worldwide suffer from bad breath, or halitosis. Many likely causes of halitosis exist, but most of them are due to poor oral health.

Bad breath has been the cause of anxiety, embarrassment and worry for many, but fortunately, it is easy to solve.

Halitosis is one of the most popular reasons for seeking dental care, following tooth decay and gum disease. Everyone is susceptible to bad breath, and statistics show that one in four people suffer from bad breath globally.

Signs that you have bad breath

Your bad breath can be temporary or chronic. An excellent way to know is if your breath smells bad is to ask a relative or close friend for help. Tell them to be honest about your breath.

If there is no one to help, another effective way to check is to lick your wrist, allow it to dry and then smell it. If it smells bad, then you probably have bad breath.

In some cases, people may worry about their breath even though there is minimal or no odor. This situation is termed halitophobia and can cause an obsessive mouth-cleansing habit.

Possible causes of bad breath

Food

All foods linger in the mouth since small particles will cling between teeth. Foods like onion and garlic can are famous for causing bad breath. That said, any food can cause bad breath as it breaks down in your mouth. Be sure to brush your teeth or at least rinse after meals.

Tobacco use

Tobacco products are responsible for a form of mouth odor. Also, they can cause gum disease, which is also a cause of bad breath. Quitting tobacco use will have more benefits than simply stopping your bad breath.

Dry mouth

Saliva is the mouth’s natural cleanser. If the mouth is dry due to dehydration or a specific condition, such as xerostomia, you may experience bad breath. Stay hydrated to keep bacteria at bay.

Poor dental hygiene

Failure to brush and floss allows for the build-up of food debris that eventually break down and cause odors. When these food particles mix with bacteria, plaque forms, causing inflammation of the teeth and gums. The decomposing food and infection of the gums or teeth can cause bad breath.

Failure to properly clean dentures will allow odor-producing bacteria to grow.

Medications

Some medications can diminish the production of saliva, thus increasing mouth odor. Some drugs break down and release chemicals that produce foul smells as well. Such drugs include nitrates, certain chemotherapy chemicals and some tranquilizers like phenothiazine.

People who consume vitamin supplements in large doses may also develop bad breath.

Treatment

The most effective way to minimize bad breath is to maintain excellent oral hygiene. This will lessen the chances of tooth decay and gum disease.

Dentists recommend going for a checkup and cleaning every six months. The dentist may suggest an antibacterial toothpaste or mouthwash to combat halitosis.

If the dentist detects gum disease, extensive cleaning may be necessary to restore your teeth to a healthy state.

Keep your breath smelling fresh

Making modifications to your lifestyles, such as quitting smoking or adhering to better dental hygiene can alleviate bad breath.

If halitosis persists, call our office to see how we can help.

Are you considering treatment for bad breath in the Honolulu area? Get more information at https://www.diamondheaddentalcare.com.